38. 'Of the Law with the manifold performances depending on it and with its subdivisions: abstaining from injuring others, from theft, &c., this, I believe, is the brief summary "Mercy to the creatures." 'Look here, illustrious prince. 39. 'If mercy to all creatures should make men hold them like themselves or their own family, whose heart would ever cherish the baleful desire for wickedness? 40. 'But the lack of mercy is to men the cause of the greatest disturbance, as it corrupts the action of their minds and words and bodies no less with respect to their family than to strangers. 41. 'For this reason he who strives for Righteousness ought to keep to mercy, which will yield rich profit. Mercy[187], indeed, engenders virtues, as a fructifying rain makes the crops grow. [187] In the fourth pâda of this stanza sa is a misprint for sâ. 42. 'Mercy, possessing a man's mind, destroys in it the passion for injuring one's neighbour; and his mind being pure, neither his speech nor his body will be perverted. So the love of one's neighbour's good always increases and becomes the source of many other virtues: charity, forbearance, and so on, which are followed by gladness of mind and are conducive to reputation. 43. 'The merciful one does not arouse apprehension in the mind of others because of his tranquillity. Owing to his mercy, everybody will hold him a person to be trusted, as if he were their kinsman. No agitation of passion will seize him whose heart has been made firm by mercy, nor does the fire of anger blaze within his mind which enjoys the coolness of water, thanks to mercy. 44. 'Why use many words? For this reason the wise firmly believe that in Mercy the whole of Righteousness is contained. What virtue, indeed, cherished by the pious does there exist which is not the consequence of Mercy? Having this in mind, be intent on ever fortifying thy mercy to all people, holding them like thy son, like thyself; and winning by thy pious conduct the hearts of thy people, mayst thou glorify thy royalty!' Then the king praised these words of the ruru-deer, and with his townsmen and landsmen became intent on acting up to the Law of Righteousness. And he granted security to all quadrupeds and birds. * * * * * In this manner, then, for the virtuous no suffering exists but that of others. It is this they cannot bear, not their own suffering. [This story is also to be told when discoursing on compassion, and may be adduced when treating of the high-mindedness of the virtuous, also when censuring the mischievous.] XXVII. THE STORY OF THE GREAT MONKEY. (Cp. the Pâli _G_âtaka, No. 407, Fausb. III, 370-375.) Those who follow the behaviour of the virtuous win over even the hearts of their enemies. This will be taught as follows.